Genes encoding telomerase protein 1

Abstract

Disclosed are nucleic acid molecules encoding polypeptides that specifically bind telomerase RNA. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides, and methods of using these molecules.

We claim:  
     
       1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a telomerase RNA binding protein, wherein the nucleic acid molecule is selected from the group consisting of: 
       (a) a nucleic acid molecule that is the complement of a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes to the nucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 under high stringency conditions of 0.2×SSC and 0.1 percent SDS at 55-65° C.;  
       (b) the nucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NO: 1;  
       (c) the nucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NO: 2: and  
       (d) a nucleic acid molecule having at least 90% identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over the full length of said sequence.  
     
     
       2. An isolated nucleic acid molecule that is the complement of a nucleic acid that hybridizes to the nucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 under high stringency conditions of 0.2×SSC and 0.1 percent SDS at 55-65° C., wherein said isolated nucleic acid molecule encodes a telomerase RNA binding protein. 
     
     
       3. A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of claim  1 . 
     
     
       4. A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of claim  2 . 
     
     
       5. A host cell comprising the vector of claim  3 . 
     
     
       6. A host cell comprising the vector of claim  4 . 
     
     
       7. A process of producing a telomerase RNA binding protein comprising the steps of: 
       (a) expressing the nucleic acid molecule of claim  1  in a suitable host to synthesize a telomerase RNA binding protein; and  
       (b) isolating the telomerase RNA binding protein.  
     
     
       8. An isolated nucleic acid molecule that is the complement of the isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim  1 . 
     
     
       9. An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a telomerase RNA binding protein wherein said isolated nucleic acid molecule has at least 90% identity with the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over the full length of said sequence.